Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
We pursue our national interests and project the UK as a force for good in the world. We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK’s security, defend our values, reduce poverty and tackle global challenges with our international partners.
Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD - Life peer)Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs)
Calum Miller (LD - Bicester and Woodstock)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Foreign Affairs)
Conservative
Priti Patel (Con - Witham)Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
Green Party
Ellie Chowns (Green - North Herefordshire)Green Spokesperson (Foreign Affairs)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Lord Callanan (Con - Life peer)Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Wendy Morton (Con - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Andrew Rosindell (Con - Romford)Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs)
Alec Shelbrooke (Con - Wetherby and Easingwold)
Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs)
Ministers of State
Stephen Doughty (LAB - Cardiff South and Penarth)Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Lord Collins of Highbury (Lab - Life peer)Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Hamish Falconer (Lab - Lincoln)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Seema Malhotra (LAB - Feltham and Heston)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Chris Elmore (Lab - Bridgend)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
17:03
Although China is the UK’s fifth largest trading partner, the UK Government has, in recent years, described China as an …
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to review how the European Convention on Human Rights has been …
These Regulations amend the Iran (Sanctions) (Nuclear) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (“the 2019 Regulations”) to reflect the United Nations (“UN”) …
A Bill to make provision for and in connection with the implementation by the United Kingdom of the Agreement under …
18:55
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Commons Appearances
Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs
Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:- Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
- Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
- Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.
Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue
Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office - Secondary Legislation
Petitions
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
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Departmental Select Committee
Foreign Affairs Committee
Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.
At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.
Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.
11 Members of the Foreign Affairs Committee
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 11th September 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 16th December 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 16th December 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee: Upcoming Events
The work of the British Council
28 Oct 2025, 9:30 a.m.
At 10:00am: Oral evidence
Scott McDonald - Chief Executive at British Council
Kate Ewart-Biggs OBE - Deputy Chief Executive at British Council
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Foreign Affairs Committee: 17 Current Inquiries
Foreign Affairs Committee: Previous Inquiries
50 most recent Written Questions
(View all written questions)I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 9th June to question 56153.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We regularly engage with Tunisian authorities and civil society organisations to promote human rights, including Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), and we will continue our dialogue with the Tunisian government on human rights as part of our annual Association Council, most recently held in July 2025.
Minister of State (Development)
The Government remains committed to protecting the rights of children and refugees, and preventing torture and we continue to play a leading role in supporting international conventions and alliances that uphold these goals.
Minister of State (Development)
The Government remains committed to protecting the rights of children and refugees, and preventing torture and we continue to play a leading role in supporting international conventions and alliances that uphold these goals.
Minister of State (Development)
The Government remains committed to protecting the rights of children and refugees, and preventing torture and we continue to play a leading role in supporting international conventions and alliances that uphold these goals.
Minister of State (Development)
Ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, including violent extremism and intercommunal violence, continue to have a devastating effect across communities of different faiths and ethnicities, including Christians. The UK remains committed to defending Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), with Nigeria a focus country under the new FoRB strategy.
Through our UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership, we are supporting Nigeria to respond to these challenges while upholding human rights, including through training and capacity building for the Nigerian armed forces. At the Third UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership dialogue in July 2025, the UK and Nigeria agreed a support programme to enhance the capacity of Nigeria's National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and other agencies, which will enhance Nigeria's ability to investigate violence and disrupt the financing of terrorist groups. The UK has also renewed its commitment to support Nigeria's Armed Forces in the development of the Defence Special Operations Force, which will help Nigeria to develop a professional, well-coordinated special operations capability to respond to security threats while protecting civilians and promoting stability.
Minister of State (Development)
Ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, including violent extremism and intercommunal violence, continue to have a devastating effect across communities of different faiths and ethnicities, including Christians. The UK remains committed to defending Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), with Nigeria a focus country under the new FoRB strategy.
Through our UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership, we are supporting Nigeria to respond to these challenges while upholding human rights, including through training and capacity building for the Nigerian armed forces. At the Third UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership dialogue in July 2025, the UK and Nigeria agreed a support programme to enhance the capacity of Nigeria's National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and other agencies, which will enhance Nigeria's ability to investigate violence and disrupt the financing of terrorist groups. The UK has also renewed its commitment to support Nigeria's Armed Forces in the development of the Defence Special Operations Force, which will help Nigeria to develop a professional, well-coordinated special operations capability to respond to security threats while protecting civilians and promoting stability.
Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Hon Member to the statement on the Middle East made in the House by the Prime Minister on 14th October.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK does not charge the US Government for the use of the military base on Diego Garcia and does not intend to do so. The US pays for the significant operating and maintenance costs of the base and the UK benefits considerably from this arrangement.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government's position on these issues was set out most recently by Lord Collins of Highbury in response to a House of Lords debate on the use of starvation as a weapon of war held on 16 October 2025. [https://hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2025-10-16/debates/7404DF67-1A74-4DCD-8421-84BB55189F25/StarvationAsAWeaponOfWar].
In his response, Lord Collins referred to the publication in May of the Government's legal handbook on conflict, hunger and international law, further details of which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/conflict-hunger-and-international-humanitarian-law-handbook-launch-lord-collins-speech.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government's position on these issues was set out most recently by Lord Collins of Highbury in response to a House of Lords debate on the use of starvation as a weapon of war held on 16 October 2025. [https://hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2025-10-16/debates/7404DF67-1A74-4DCD-8421-84BB55189F25/StarvationAsAWeaponOfWar].
In his response, Lord Collins referred to the publication in May of the Government's legal handbook on conflict, hunger and international law, further details of which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/conflict-hunger-and-international-humanitarian-law-handbook-launch-lord-collins-speech.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government's position on these issues was set out most recently by Lord Collins of Highbury in response to a House of Lords debate on the use of starvation as a weapon of war held on 16 October 2025. [https://hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2025-10-16/debates/7404DF67-1A74-4DCD-8421-84BB55189F25/StarvationAsAWeaponOfWar].
In his response, Lord Collins referred to the publication in May of the Government's legal handbook on conflict, hunger and international law, further details of which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/conflict-hunger-and-international-humanitarian-law-handbook-launch-lord-collins-speech.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 23 June to question 60560.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The New START Treaty is a bilateral agreement between the United States and Russian Federation; any replacement treaty is a matter for the US and Russia. The UK regularly raises issues related to strategic risk reduction, including arms control with the USA and Russia through the expert-level P5 process. Genuine and verifiable strategic arms control among the largest Nuclear Weapons States can be a positive step for global security. However, following Russia's decision to suspend participation in New START verification measures in 2023, future approaches need to be based on concrete, and verifiable actions.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The New START Treaty is a bilateral agreement between the United States and Russian Federation; any replacement treaty is a matter for the US and Russia. The UK regularly raises issues related to strategic risk reduction, including arms control with the USA and Russia through the expert-level P5 process. Genuine and verifiable strategic arms control among the largest Nuclear Weapons States can be a positive step for global security. However, following Russia's decision to suspend participation in New START verification measures in 2023, future approaches need to be based on concrete, and verifiable actions.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials speak regularly with the Chinese Government about a range of issues.
Decisions on which foreign powers will be placed on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme are taken on a country-by-country basis, based on robust security and intelligence analysis.
The planning application has been called in by the former Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the current Secretary of State will make this decision independent from the rest of Government corresponding to his quasi-judicial role.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The government is committed to calling out malicious cyber activities that threaten the UK's national interests and economic prosperity. Sanctions are an important part of our diplomatic toolkit, helping us to disrupt ransomware operations.
Our cyber sanctions regime allows us to impose cost and risk on those that carry out malicious cyber activity, and to deter others who consider similar acts. The regime is suitably broad, and allows us to freeze the assets of those around the world who have undermined the integrity, prosperity, or security of the UK and its partners. Under these powers, we have designated seventy-nine people, including sixteen members of prolific Russian cybercrime gang Evil Corp, and one of the senior leaders of LockBit which, at the time, was one of the most harmful ransomware operations affecting the UK.
We will continue to explore future use and implementation of our cyber sanctions regime against ransomware actors as part of a broader range of approaches to combat cybercrime globally.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government monitors all such matters closely, but continues to develop its foreign policy objectives and priorities in different parts of the world according to our shared interests and values, irrespective of the activities of other countries.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government monitors all such matters closely, but continues to develop its foreign policy objectives and priorities in different parts of the world according to our shared interests and values, irrespective of the activities of other countries.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government monitors all such matters closely, but continues to develop its foreign policy objectives and priorities in different parts of the world according to our shared interests and values, irrespective of the activities of other countries.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As set out in the Civil Service People Plan 2024 - 2027, published under the previous government, we are committed to ensuring we attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds to create a modern Civil Service, now and for the future.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 22 September to Question 76322.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials speak regularly with the Chinese Government on a range of issues. The reaction of Chinese officials to the conclusion of the China audit is a matter of public record, and a statement from the Chinese Embassy spokesperson is available online.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Meetings between Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office ministers and senior representatives of the Chinese government can be found through publicly accessible means either on GOV.UK or ministers' social media accounts. As per usual diplomatic practice globally, we do not publish details of all official level contact with China. This would not be possible for practical and policy development reasons.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice provides information and advice to help British nationals make informed decisions about foreign travel. The FCDO updated our Travel Advice for Rwanda on 18 September ahead of the UCI Road World Cycling Championships. Advice to groups on matters of safety and security will always be consistent with the advice available to the public in FCDO travel advice on GOV.UK. Our Travel Advice remains under constant review to ensure it reflects our latest assessment of risks to British nationals. These assessments are made by drawing on expert sources of information available to the Government including local knowledge from our embassies, information provided by the local authorities in each country, and in some cases, information gathered by the intelligence services.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is proud to be co-hosting the Global Fund's Eighth Replenishment with South Africa and looks forward to working with an expanded range of partners to help end AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for good.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is working with South Africa and the Global Fund on a range of international engagements and events to help generate international support for the Replenishment. For example, Heads of Mission have recently hosted events in support of the Global Fund at our High Commission in Canberra, our Embassy in Addis Ababa and our High Commission in Pretoria, in addition to bilateral discussions in other key countries.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 7 October 2025 to Question 75005.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 7 October 2025 to Question 75005.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 7 October 2025 to Question 75005.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government is committed to advancing free and fair trade around the world that is inclusive, sustainable and reduces poverty. To do this, the UK supports a range of initiatives to drive inclusive growth and create more and better jobs at scale, including in agricultural supply chains.
Such initiatives include the recently concluded Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW) programme, which aimed to advance women's economic empowerment in global supply chains. In Kenya, WOW supported over 300,000 tea farmers, over 80% of whom reported improved productivity and income through climate-resilient practices and diversified livelihoods.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 September 2025 to question 72859.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
On 11 September, the UK's Permanent Representative to the UN, Dame Barbara Woodward, condemned Israel's strikes on Doha as a "flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar," warning of the risk of further escalation. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have both expressed grave concern over the incident, reaffirming UK solidarity with Qatar and calling for de-escalation. Since taking office, this Government has announced three packages of sanctions in relation to Israel/Palestine. In June we imposed sanctions on Israeli Cabinet Ministers Smotrich and Ben Gvir, in their personal capacity for inciting violence towards Palestinians, while the previous rounds targeted individuals, illegal settler outposts and organisations perpetrating and supporting violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
Minister of State (Development)
We are deeply concerned by the latest incident of two British MPs being denied entry to the State of Palestine by Israel. The Minister for the Middle East and officials were in contact with the MPs affected throughout. The Government has been clear with the Israeli authorities that this is no way to treat British parliamentarians.
Minister of State (Development)
The UK has repeatedly made representations to the Israeli government to ensure that humanitarian workers are protected, medical and aid workers can do their jobs safely and to clamp down on settler violence and expansion. Working with our Australian counterparts, we developed the political Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel which launched at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 21 and secured endorsement from 105 states. On 3 October, the Foreign Secretary spoke to Foreign Minister Sa'ar and pressed him on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, among other matters. We will continue our engagement and keep these issues under review.
Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Baroness to my answer of 7 October to question HL10739.
Minister of State (Development)
We were horrified by the repeated reports of civilians being killed or injured while seeking humanitarian aid near distribution points in Gaza, and we are consistently reminding our Israeli counterparts that international law requires the protection of healthcare workers, journalists and civilians. We continue to work with partners, including the UN, United States and Israel, to ensure that civilians across Gaza are protected and the safe delivery of humanitarian aid is facilitated, most recently in the Foreign Secretary's discussions at the UN General Assembly meetings in New York and in a call with Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 3 October.
Minister of State (Development)
Baroness Lister of Burtersett
(Labour - Life peer)
There is already guidance on gov.uk setting out the clear risks related to economic and financial activities in the settlements, and we do not encourage or offer support to such activity. Goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements are not entitled to tariff and trade preferences under either the existing agreement between the UK and Israel or in our agreement with the Palestinian Authority.
Minister of State (Development)
Journalists and media workers play an important role in sharing the devastating reality of war with the global public and the Government opposes all attempts to restrict press freedom and block entry to journalists during conflicts. On 21 August, the UK joined a Media Freedom Coalition statement urging Israel to allow immediate media access to independent foreign media and afford protection for journalists working in Gaza.
Minister of State (Development)
Journalists and media workers play an important role in sharing the devastating reality of war with the global public and the Government opposes all attempts to restrict press freedom and block entry to journalists during conflicts. On 21 August, the UK joined a Media Freedom Coalition statement urging Israel to allow immediate media access to independent foreign media and afford protection for journalists working in Gaza.
Minister of State (Development)
Journalists and media workers play an important role in sharing the devastating reality of war with the global public and the Government opposes all attempts to restrict press freedom and block entry to journalists during conflicts. On 21 August, the UK joined a Media Freedom Coalition statement urging Israel to allow immediate media access to independent foreign media and afford protection for journalists working in Gaza.
Minister of State (Development)
Journalists and media workers play an important role in sharing the devastating reality of war with the global public and the Government opposes all attempts to restrict press freedom and block entry to journalists during conflicts. On 21 August, the UK joined a Media Freedom Coalition statement urging Israel to allow immediate media access to independent foreign media and afford protection for journalists working in Gaza.
Minister of State (Development)
The actions of the Russian State pose an acute and direct threat to the interests and national security of the UK and our allies. Russia continues to intensify its aggressive hybrid campaign, including sabotage, violence and cyber-attacks. We are working in partnership with our allies to deter and defend against the full spectrum of threats emanating from Russia.
Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided on 23 September to Question HL10250.
Minister of State (Development)
The UK is committed to championing Freedom of Religion or Belief. We highlight this issue at the UN, via the G7 and as a member of the Article 18 Alliance. Our Embassy in Ashgabat has contact with representatives of different faith groups, as well as visiting UK faith representatives, to discuss issues they face in practicing their religion in Turkmenistan. In Turkmenistan's most recent UN Universal Periodic Review in 2023, the UK raised concerns about freedom of association. We continue to seek opportunities to raise concerns at the UN and other international fora, where appropriate.
Minister of State (Development)
In her statements confirming the UK's decision to recognise the State of Palestine, the Foreign Secretary has made clear that there can and will be no role for Hamas terrorists in the future governance of Gaza. She has also welcomed the unanimous declaration by the Arab League calling for Hamas to release all hostages, lay down its arms and relinquish all power in Gaza. Those goals will remain a priority for the UK Government as we work with international partners to progress efforts to secure a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on the two states of Israel and Palestine living securely side by side.
Minister of State (Development)
Recognition of Palestinian statehood is a political decision that is compliant with international law and has already been taken by a significant majority of UN member states. Taking into consideration the criteria for statehood set out in the Montevideo Convention and other relevant factors, we considered that there was a proper basis for the recognition of the Palestinian State, which was announced on 21 September.
Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer of 7 October 2025 to question HL9967.
Minister of State (Development)
No assessment of those reports have been made, but we keep all such matters under review.
Minister of State (Development)
We have made repeated representations to the Government of Israel over the past month on humanitarian access, protection of healthcare, and protection of civilians, including in the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary's meetings on 10th September with President Herzog.
Minister of State (Development)